The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
Kernel Score: 82% · 283 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 1952-12-25
Runtime: 118 minutes
Where to watch The Bad and the Beautiful
- Free with ads: Hoopla
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Told in flashback form, the film traces the rise and fall of a tough, ambitious Hollywood producer, Jonathan Shields, as seen through the eyes of various acquaintances, including a writer, James Lee Bartlow; a star, Georgia Lorrison; and a director, Fred Amiel. He is a hard-driving, ambitious man who ruthlessly uses everyone on the way to becoming one of Hollywood's top movie makers.
The Bad and the Beautiful parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this classic Hollywood drama portrays a ruthless film producer who uses everyone around him.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Bad and the Beautiful
If you liked The Bad and the Beautiful, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Chemical Hearts (2020) — 84%
- Malcolm & Marie (2021) — 79%
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — 90%
- Cinema Paradiso (1988) — 91%
- A Star Is Born (1937) — 80%
- Infernal Affairs III (2003) — 76%
- Brief Encounter (1945) — 87%
- After We Fell (2021) — 78%
Director
Cast
- Lana Turner as Georgia Lorrison
- Kirk Douglas as Jonathan Shields
- Walter Pidgeon as Harry Pebbel
- Dick Powell as James Lee Bartlow
- Barry Sullivan as Fred Amiel
- Gloria Grahame as Rosemary Bartlow
- Leo G. Carroll as Henry Whitfield
- Gilbert Roland as Victor "Gaucho" Ribera
- Paul Stewart as Syd Murphy
- Vanessa Brown as Kay Amiel
The Bad and the Beautiful FAQ
Is The Bad and the Beautiful good?
The Bad and the Beautiful has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 283 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Bad and the Beautiful?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Hoopla and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Bad and the Beautiful OK for kids?
The Bad and the Beautiful is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this classic Hollywood drama portrays a ruthless film producer who uses everyone around him.
What movies are like The Bad and the Beautiful?
If you liked The Bad and the Beautiful, try Chemical Hearts, Malcolm & Marie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Cinema Paradiso.